Chicago

Covid-19 and Sanitation Crews

As we all hunker in place during the COVID-19 crisis, the Streets and Sanitation crews are maintaining their normal work schedules to provide on-going trash and recycling services.

Sanitation Crews Need Our Help

Now they need our help to ensure they remain safe and the recycling stream remains clean. Crews are seeing a surge of COVID-19 related items that are mistakenly being placed into the recycling carts instead of the trash.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, masks, eyeglasses, and gowns are not recyclable. Also not recyclable are cleaning supplies like disposable wipes, paper towels, tissues. These items have never been recyclable.

Proper Trash Disposal Guidelines

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that items possibly contaminated with the COVID-19 virus be discarded immediately in a trash bin with a lid and then wash your hands with soap and water (see video below) or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Here's more from the WHO on masks and mask disposal.